Tragedy struck in East Java, Indonesia, after a boarding school building collapsed, killing at least three people and injuring more than 70 others. Rescue officials confirmed on Tuesday that 99 people have been hospitalized, some with critical injuries, while at least 38 others remain trapped under the rubble.
The incident occurred on Monday at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo town, where students and staff had gathered for evening prayers. According to the country’s disaster mitigation agency, the two-storey structure had a weak foundation that could not withstand the additional weight from two newly built floors, causing the building to give way.
Authorities said most of the victims still trapped are teenage boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Female students, who were praying in another part of the building, managed to escape unharmed. Heartbreaking scenes have emerged from the site, with relatives camping overnight near the collapsed structure, anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.
Local media footage shows the collapsed section of the school sunken into the ground, with massive slabs of concrete sticking out. Rescue teams reported hearing cries and shouts from under the debris, fueling hopes of finding survivors. However, the search operation was temporarily suspended on Tuesday due to the risk of further collapse.
Officials warned that the death toll may rise as efforts to retrieve those still trapped continue. The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over construction standards and safety in densely populated areas of Indonesia.
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